Meaning and Usage
The word ろうそく means "candle" in Japanese. It refers to the wax stick with a wick that produces light when lit.
Common Contexts
ろうそく is often used in everyday situations such as birthday celebrations (誕生日のケーキにろうそくを立てる), during power outages to provide light, or in religious and ceremonial settings.
Collocations and Patterns
- ろうそくを立てる: to put candles (e.g., on a cake)
- ろうそくを灯す（ともす）: to light a candle
- ろうそくの火（ひ）: the flame of a candle
Usage Notes
When using ろうそく, the focus is on the physical candle itself. It is a common noun and neutral in formality, suitable for both casual and formal contexts. A common learner mistake is confusing ろうそく with other light sources like 電気 (electric light) or ランプ (lamp). Remember ろうそく specifically means a wax candle with a wick.